10 Questions with ... Murphy, Sam & Jodi

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Murphy: My original mentor was John Dobbs at WBRH, a high school radio station that launched this whole crazy career at the age of 16. Like many, I worked a little in every role in Programming. When Jodi joined me and Sam in '97, the fun began - and when we married in '99, the family began!

Sam: I started out in radio in college and landed my first paying radio gig just after graduating. I guess I'm sort of an anomaly in radio, because through various sales, mergers and name changes I've been working for the same company for 30 years...talk about your tenure! I've been working with Murphy almost as long...for about 25 years.

Jodi: I did some voice work at an Ad Agency, but nothing important. I walked into a studio years ago to meet Murphy and Sam, felt instant chemistry, and never left. We are all a little family!

1. You're syndicated show is now on over 40 affiliates since we interviewed you in 2012. What do you attribute to this growth?

Diary and PPM ratings success obviously has been key, but equally is June Colbert, her passion for affiliate relationships and she cares about how the show integrates with a station. Dennis Clark is an amazing coach and the five of us come in with a plan every day. We respect that we have to earn success every day. We're also grateful for the confidence in MSJ from early adopters like Jon Zellner, Rod Phillips, and Tony Coles.

2. How are you using social media to market your show these days?

Jodi: We use it to stay connected. I love that it's so in THE moment, and we can keep our relationship after the show. I also LOVE FB live. It's one of the most personal things we've done with the audience and they totally direct it. It's my favorite!!

Sam: ... and the podcasts too. It's such a 24/7 world so we go where they go, when they want.

3. Since Murphy & Jodi are married to one another, how do you handle the pressures of your day-to-day lives and still do a radio show together? Do you keep your professional life separate from your personal life? Or are they one and the same?

Jodi: We TRY to keep it separate, but it's not that simple! Our marriage is a big part of the show which is what makes it voyeuristic for the listener. Working with your spouse ...Could you do it? (Jodi laughs)

Murphy: It also keeps it real. Millennials are all about authenticity. We have a solid marriage with the same challenges of any married couple with teens and preteens. Yes, boundaries are important, I have the highest respect for Jodi as a professional and her amazing ability to convert listeners into friends.

Sam: Jodi's right ... they TRY to keep it separate. Fortunately that's where I come in: sometimes I throw a little more gas on the fire for my own amusement!

4. What makes your show unique over other syndicated shows?

Murphy: Jodi is the true anchor. She has an amazing connection with the core listener because she lives that same life. She has a full-time job, she's a full-time mom, wife, friend, etc. The show sounds like friends hanging out enjoying each other and our listeners, and celebrating the start of a new day.

Sam: I think Jodi and Murphy's marriage also adds a real life dynamic, but what do I know ... I've been married (and divorced) three times!

Jodi: On the business end we do virtual sales calls and help close endorsement opportunities, station sales and staff meetings. The show content fits on multiple formats.

5. Do you allow your affiliates the option to provide their own music programming and how does that high tech process happen?

Sam: Yes that's part of the show being custom. Our specialty is content, so we leave the music up to the affiliates. Our Network Ops VP, Emilie Becker, still won't reveal her high-tech digital secrets.

6. How do you stay in tune with your audience?

Social media is the great equalizer. If you're not being real, you won't connect. We're still living the same basic life a listener does, and love the two way communication before, during and after the show and we aren't afraid to have raw, real moments.

SAM: We are all parents, too, speaking as someone with five kids .... I'm a Netflix binger, I've seen "Stranger Things" all the way through three times and "Love Actually" about 50 times!

7. What is the one truth that has held constant in your career?

Murphy: Adapt and learn, no matter how long you've been at it....and continue to innovate.

Jodi: Staying connected and believable means being true to yourself. I'm always myself, which keeps it real.

Sam: I'm still learning and adapting ... radio to digital to social media ... and I'm trying to find the "back end" on the web that the producers keep telling me about.

8. What advice would you give people new to the business?

Murphy: There are so many cool tools today. Use them all, be yourself, develop content, respect your personal brand. If you've never been in the business, create a digital foundation with podcasts and blogs. They can be heard and shared everywhere.

Sam: Find a good mentor/teacher and keep them for life!

Jodi: Be yourself in all situations. Our audiences crave connection, and they know a fake. Be real. It'll either work or it won't. Also realize that every situation you encounter can teach you something. I learn every day doing this!

9. At the end of the day, how do you all stay friends?

Jodi: Our chemistry keeps it fun. We're just as real with each other as we are with the show.

Murphy: It's like a family. Through the awesome days and the challenging days, we all have a common goal all five of us. I think everyone trusting the outcome is part of it.

Sam: I don't drink anymore, so I'll say 'prayer' ....lots of prayer.

10. What do you do differently today than you did 10 years ago? How has the show evolved?

Jodi: We stay focused and realize that new listeners are checking us out all the time, so we make sure it's easy to join. Saying names is a big part of that, and resetting familiar show arcs constantly.

Sam: With a team, we make sure too many voices aren't talking at one time. Oh, and one of our unbreakable rules is that we make sure we forward promote EVERYTHING.

Murphy: Social media is a given, but adding the video in the studio and the You Tube channel is another dimension many listeners expect now.